ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — The Ross County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal dog shooting following a dispute between neighbors and local authorities over state animal laws.
According to an incident report, a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Valley Road on August 24, 2026, regarding an injuring animals complaint. The dog owner reported that his grey brindle XXL Bully had escaped his yard—where it typically wore a red training collar—and wandered onto a neighboring property further down Valley Road.
While searching for the animal, the owner was contacted by the Ross County Dog Warden’s Office. An official informed him that his dog had reportedly entered a neighbor’s yard and attacked another dog. During the attack, the neighboring property owner intervened, shooting and killing the XXL Bully to protect his own pet.
Staff from the Dog Warden’s Office later removed the deceased animal from the scene.
A legal dispute arose when the deceased dog’s owner questioned law enforcement and animal control officials about the shooting. Dog Warden personnel initially told the owner that state law permits individuals to shoot a dog on their property if it is actively attacking animals.
However, the owner pushed back against that interpretation, arguing that Ohio Revised Code § 955.28(A)—which permits killing a dog that attacks livestock or poultry—specifically excludes domestic dogs and cats from those protections. The owner emphasized that because his dog had shown no aggression toward any humans, shooting the animal strictly over a dog-on-dog fight was unlawful under state statute.
After consulting with animal control officials, who suggested filing a formal report, the owner requested a sheriff’s investigation. Deputized personnel confirmed the report was filed and stated they will follow up with the Dog Warden’s Office as the case remains under review.
